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Kitchen Ideas: Two Kitchens in One

A utilitarian post in the middle of the kitchen stuck out like an 8-year-old dining in blue jeans at the Waldorf Astoria. The white-painted post divided the kitchen's work space and sitting area in the 2010 D.C. Design House, a magnificent Georgian home in Chevy Chase, Maryland. Unfortunately, the post was integral to the house's structural support and had to stay. The solution was obvious to McLean, Virginia, interior designer Rosi Kallivokas. "I designed a dual purpose armoire to house the new refrigeration for the kitchen, and also to hide the support column," she says. The oak armoire with burl veneer marquetry and other inlays also established the dress code for the redesign, creating elegant spaces befitting the century-old mansion.

Rather than retaining the small kitchen and adjoining sitting room, Kallivokas commandeered all the square footage and created two companion kitchens, with the armoire serving as a subtle divider. A dressy, more formal area, anchored by an ornate oak island, makes an ideal spot for parties and company cocktails. The other, more casual space has a center table/island convenient for family dining and caterers. While the two spaces complement each other in style, each could function independently in a typical home, providing plenty of showhouse takeaway ideas.

"I wanted to keep everything light and clean and stay within my chosen color palette," she says. "The results are very fresh." Walls in both spaces are wainscoted and painted a warm white. A tone-on-tone large-scale floral wall covering--most prominently displayed above the wainscoting in the dressy kitchen--adds dining room elegance without being a distraction.

The real showstopper is a 37-inch flat-panel television installed behind heat-resistant glass in the range backsplash of the dressy kitchen. "If you're hooked on the Food Network, the TV is a perfect addition," Kallivokas says. The glass protects the television from splashes and heat, and is easy to wipe clean. If the television needs to be repaired or removed, it can be accessed from an adjoining porch, which shares a wall with the kitchen range.

Good lighting is a must in a kitchen, and Kallivokas "layered" light sources, including recessed ceiling fixtures and decorative chandeliers on dimmers. Low-voltage LED lights illuminate countertops as well as cabinet interiors.

Dove gray silk was fashioned into Roman shades and draperies, adding a hint of warmth. "I wanted to soften the rooms," the designer says, "but still allow natural light into the spaces at all times."

4. Build the TV into a wall, so it is visible throughout the kitchen
A flat-panel Aquos television was mounted behind heat-resistant glass in the tile backsplash above the range. The TV can be accessed for servicing from an adjacent porch that backs the range wall.

5. Simplify food prep and cleanup with a pullout faucet
A stainless-steel undermount sink in the island is fitted with a Rohl pullout faucet. The faucet's multiple spray options and pullout capabilities make it easy to wash foods as well as large pots and pans.

6. Beef up countertops with thick double-edge treatments
The island has a thick slab top of Arctic Cream granite finished with double-rolled edges. Two oak corbels with burl inlays support each of the four corners.

7. Keep spices, recipes, bottle toppers, and what-nots in small drawers
These hidden drawers protect spices--or whatever is stored there--from the heat of cooking and can be labeled so you won't forget what's where.

10. Integrate a basic blackboard into a paneled wall
Improve family communications with a blackboard built into a kitchen wall. Place pet food bowls directly below, and no one should forget to feed the dog (we hope!).

Refrigerator Armoire
An armoire with a natural-oak finish and corbel-topped pilasters conceals a structural column and two side-by-side Liebherr refrigerator-freezers. The armoire also serves as a room divider.

Wood Countertops
A farm-style sink cabinet is topped with an oak work surface, which is routed with grooves to drain water to the Franke fire-clay sink. A bridge-style Rohl faucet adds to the farmhouse style.

Furniture Touches
The Clive Christian island upgrades basic oak with classic furniture-style details, such as burl veneers on the corbels, along with X-motif marquetry and flame-style inlays on the end panels.